Tubular container with side opening

ABSTRACT

A paperboard container for releasably dispensing contents contained therein is convertible from a substantially sealed orientation to a substantially open, dispensing orientation and back to the substantially sealed orientation. The paperboard container comprises a tubular container member, a bottom member and a top member, with the top member being telescopically received within the container member to seal the top member to the container. The top member is pivotable about the hinge portion and is pivotable to the sealed orientation to substantially reseal the container member.  
     The present invention is directed to a paperboard container with an opening on the side, including a tubular body, a first end panel and second end panel, and a tear-out panel initially contained within said tubular body. The tear-out panel is separated from the remainder of the tubular body by cuts or perforations, and may be partially or completely removed to allow access to the contents of the container. A means for sealably reclosing the tear-out panel is also provided to allow for reclosing of the container. An internal membrane may also be adhered to the inner surface of the body below the tear-out panel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No.09/586,451, filed Jun. 2, 2000, presently pending, which in turn, is acontinuation-in-part of Ser. No. 09/437,968, filed Nov. 10, 1999, which,in turn, claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/120,030, filed Feb. 13, 1999.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable. REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

[0003] Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] 1. Field of the Invention

[0005] The present invention is directed to paperboard lids forpaperboard containers and, more specifically, to an integratedpaperboard lid having a hinge on the lid. The present invention isfurther directed to a paperboard container with an opening on the side.

[0006] 2. Background Art

[0007] Paper containers are often used to hold consumer items such ascereals, grains, etc. To open the container, often, the consumer simplyopens the entire top of the container. This allows access to the innerliner that holds the products. This arrangement is typical of boxes ofbreakfast cereal. Other boxes include a perforated portion on the sideof the box, near the top, or on the top of the box, near the side. Theperforated portion, when separated from the box, creates an openableflap that allows access to the interior of the box. This type ofconstruction, which is often found on boxes of grain, soap and otherproducts, does not allow for effective closing of the box.

[0008] Paper containers with tear-out side panels are also known in theart. Such tear-out panels are commonly found in boxes for holdingbeverage cans and bottles as well as in containers for facial tissue,and allow easy access to product within such containers. These panelsare typically perforated and are completely removable from the containeritself to provide access to the contents within the container. However,such containers typically do not contain a mechanism for sealablyreclosing the container once the tear-out panel has been separated fromthe container body. As a result, the container is no longer capable ofbeing reclosed, and a permanent opening is created. Such an arrangementis not always desirable, however, particularly where the containercontains a perishable product.

[0009] It would be desirable to provide a paperboard container with atear-out side panel that is capable of being reclosed in order topreserve the contents within.

[0010] It would further be desirable to provide a container that isconvertible from a substantially sealed orientation to a substantiallyopen, dispensing orientation and back to the substantially sealedorientation.

[0011] It would also be desirable to provide a container that is capableof remaining in a substantially open, dispensing orientation withoutobstructing the dispensing of contents contained therein.

[0012] It would also be desirable to provide a container that is capableof reclosing from a substantially open orientation to a substantiallysealed orientation without the loss of contents contained therein.

[0013] These and other objects of the present invention will becomeapparent in light of the present specification, claims and drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The invention comprises a paperboard container for releasablydispensing contents contained therein. The container is convertible froma substantially sealed orientation to a substantially open, dispensingorientation and back to the substantially sealed orientation. Thecontainer includes a substantially tubular container member, apaperboard bottom member and a paperboard top member.

[0015] The container member has an upper edge defining an upper openingand a lower edge defining a lower opening. The bottom membersubstantially corresponds in shape to the shape of the lower opening,and the top member substantially corresponds in shape to the shape ofthe upper opening. The top member circumference is larger than thecircumference of each of the upper edge and the upper opening of thecontainer member.

[0016] The top member has a front portion, a hinge portion, a backportion, an outer edge and a circumference. The top member istelescopically received within the upper opening of the containermember, and the upper edge of the container member is rolled up over theouter edge of the top member to seal the top member to the paperboardmember. The top member is also pivotable to the sealed orientation tosubstantially reseal the container member.

[0017] In one embodiment, the container includes a membrane adhered toinner surfaces of the container member below the container top member.The membrane has a back portion and a front portion. The back portion issubstantially equal in width to the width of the top member, and thefront portion has a width which is less than the width of the top memberand substantially equal in width to the width of the container member.Preferably, the membrane is made of barrier protective materials.

[0018] The hinge portion includes means for maintaining the hingeportion in a pivoted position relative to the remainder of the topmember, and the maintaining means is located substantially adjacent thehinge axis. In one embodiment, the hinge portion extends generallystraight across the top member and the hinge portion buckles under thetop member back portion to create a friction fit that holds the topmember front portion in its opened position. Moreover, the hinge portionincludes outer portions and an inner portion extending between the outerportions, with the outer portions and the inner portion defining thehinge portion. The hinge portion is also sized to engage the membranewhen the top member front portion is in its open orientation and to holdthe front portion in the open orientation.

[0019] In another embodiment, the hinge portion includes a pair of outersegments, a pair of inner segments spaced axially from the outersegments, and a pair of axial segments joining the inner and outersegments. The top member hinge portion further includes a tab extendingrearwardly toward the top member back portion. The tab is sized toengage the membrane when the top member front portion is in its openorientation and to hold the front portion in the open orientation.Preferably, the tab extends between the inner segments of the hingeportion.

[0020] In yet another embodiment, the top member front portion includesat least one tooth for engaging the container member upper edge when thetop member is in its sealed orientation.

[0021] In another embodiment, the hinge portion includes at least twotabs extending rearwardly toward the top member back portion. The tabsare sized to engage the membrane when the top member front portion is inits open orientation and to hold the front portion in the openorientation.

[0022] In yet another embodiment, the top member hinge portion includesa biasable cover member. The cover member has a closure flap extendingrearwardly toward the top member back portion for securing the covermember to the top member when the top member is in its sealedorientation. The cover member further includes a tab for facilitatingthe manipulation of the top member from its sealed orientation to itsopen, dispensing orientation.

[0023] The present invention is also directed, in part, to asubstantially paperboard container for allowing access to productcontained within by means of a removable side panel. The container ofthis embodiment comprises a substantially tubular body, fabricatedsubstantially from paperboard material, and having an outer surface, aninner surface, a first edge defining a first opening, and a second edgedefining a second opening. A first end panel substantially correspondsin shape to the shape of the first opening, and has an outer edgeportion. A second end panel substantially corresponds in shape to theshape of the second opening, and has an outer edge portion. Further, atleast one of the first end panel and the second end panel are fabricatedsubstantially from paperboard material. The first panel istelescopically received within the first opening of the body, the firstedge of the body being rolled up over the outer edge of the first endpanel to seal the first end panel to the body. In addition, a tear-outpanel is initially contained at least partially within the body, and iscapable of being at least partially separated from the body by means ofcuts or perforations.

[0024] In addition, at least a portion of the tear-out panel may becapable of frictionally engaging a portion of the body in order tosealably reclose the container after the tear-out panel has beenpartially separated from the body.

[0025] In another embodiment, the tear-out panel further comprises a tabportion not initially integrated within the body. The tab portion iscapable of frictionally engaging a portion of the body in order tosealably reclose the container after the tear-out panel has beenpartially separated from the body.

[0026] At least one of the first end panel and the second end panel mayalso comprise a transparent portion for viewing of product within thecontainer prior to separation of the tear-out panel from the body.

[0027] The container may also comprise a membrane below the tear-outpanel which is adhered to the inner surface of the container body. Themembrane may be made of barrier protective materials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container of the presentinvention, with the container being closed;

[0029]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the container of FIG. 1 withthe lid opened;

[0030]FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the container of FIG. 1;

[0031]FIG. 4 is a plan view of a blank from which the lid of FIG. 1 ismade;

[0032]FIG. 5a is a perspective, exploded view of an alternative blankfrom which the lid is made, this lid including a laminated underside;

[0033]FIG. 5b is a perspective, exploded view of an alternative blankfrom which the lid is made, this lid also including a laminatedunderside;

[0034]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 1,and looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the lid of FIG. 5used to cover the container;

[0035]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1, with analternative lid construction, with the lid being closed;

[0036]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 7, with thelid being open;

[0037]FIG. 9 is a plan view of a blank used to form the lid for thecontainer of FIG. 7;

[0038]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 10-10 of FIG.8, and looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the lid in itsopened position;

[0039]FIG. 11a is a perspective view of a blank used to form analternative lid for the containers of FIGS. 1 and 7, with the lid beingclosed;

[0040]FIG. 11b is a perspective view of FIG. 11a, showing teeth 212 uponarticulation and prior to positioning the container in its sealedorientation;

[0041]FIG. 12a is a perspective view of a blank used to form anotheralternative lid for the containers of FIGS. 1 and 7, with the lid beingclosed;

[0042]FIG. 12b is a perspective view of FIG. 12a, showing teeth 312 uponarticulation and prior to positioning the container in its sealedorientation;

[0043]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a blank used to form yet anotheralternative lid for the containers of FIGS. 1 and 7, with the lid beingopen;

[0044]FIG. 14a is a perspective view of a blank used to form analternative lid for the containers of FIGS. 1 and 7, with the lid beingclosed;

[0045]FIG. 14b is a perspective view of a blank used to form analternative lid for the containers of FIGS. 1 and 7, with the lid beingopen;

[0046]FIG. 15a is a perspective view of a blank used to form anotheralternative lid for the containers of FIGS. 1 and 7, with the lid beingclosed; and

[0047]FIG. 15b is a perspective view of a blank used to form anotheralternative lid for the containers of FIGS. 1 and 7, with the lid beingopen.

[0048]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a tubular container with sideopening embodying the present invention, prior to separation of thetear-out panel from the container.

[0049]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 16, showingthe container after the tear-out panel has been partially separated fromthe container.

[0050]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 16, showingthe container after the tear-out panel has been completely separatedfrom the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in manydifferent forms, they are shown in the drawings and will be described indetail herein, several specific embodiments with the understanding thatthe present invention is to be considered as an exemplification of theprinciples of the invention and is not intended to limit the inventionto the embodiments illustrated.

[0052] One embodiment of a paperboard container 1 of the presentinvention is shown generally in FIGS. 1-3. The container 1 includes amain body or tube portion 3 having a top edge 5 and a bottom edge 7. Thebody 3 has side walls defining a chamber that is opened at its top andbottom. The body 3 shown in the drawings is generally quadrilateral inplan view. However, the body could be circular, triangular, or any otherdesired shape. A top member 9 and a bottom member 11 are provided toclose the top and bottom openings of the body 3. The top and bottommembers 9 and 11 are of the same shape and size. They are also generallyin the same shape as the body 3, but are proportionally larger than thebody 3. That is, the circumference of the top and bottom members 9 and11 is greater than the circumference of the body portion 3.

[0053] The top member 9 can be a single ply. Alternatively, as seen inFIGS. 5a and 6, a laminate 13 can be applied to the bottom surface ofthe top member 9 to form a top member assembly. Likewise, as shown inFIG. 5b, a laminate 13′ can be applied to the bottom surface of the topmember 9′ to form a top member assembly.

[0054] To apply the top and bottom members 9 and 11 to the body 3, therespective member is pressed into the body 3, as seen in FIG. 6. Whenthe member is pressed into the body 3, the peripheral edges 15 of themember will be turned up (in the case of top members 9 and 9′). Themember is pushed into the body until the outer edge of the member isbelow the top (or above the bottom) edge of the body 3. The edge of thebody 3 is then rolled over to form a lip 16 that extends around thecircumference of container 1.

[0055] As seen in FIG. 4, the top member 9 includes a front portion 17and a rear portion 19 separated by a line 21. The line 21 includes cuts,perforations, or other lines of weakness 23 that extend inwardly fromthe side edges of the top member 9. The lines of weakness 23 are thenseparated by a fold line 25. As seen in FIG. 1, the slice 23 extends upthe peripheral portion 15 of the top member 9.

[0056] As seen in FIG. 5a, in the top member 9, the laminate 13 has aback portion 27 having a side-to-side width substantially equal to theside-to-side width of the top member 9. The laminate back portion 27 issubstantially as long as the top member rear portion 19, and extendsfrom the back edge of the top member 9 to the line 21. As shown in FIG.5b, at approximately line 21, laminate 13′ steps down, as at 29, to formthe front portion 31 of laminate 13. The laminate front portion 31′ hasa side-to-side width approximately equal to the side-to-side width ofthe body 3 (which is less than the side-to-side width of the top member9′). Additionally, the laminate front portion 31′ does not extend to thefront edge of the top member 9′. Rather, it is sized to extend to thefront edge of the body 3 when the top member assembly is placed in thebody 3.

[0057] After the top member 9 is applied to the container body 3, a cut,perforation, or other line of weakness 23 is formed beneath the top edge5 of the container 1. The cut 23 is positioned on the body 3 to beapproximately equal with or slightly below the bottom of the lip 16(i.e., the original top edge 5 of the body 3). The cut 23, however, isabove the upper surface of the top member 9, as is best seen in FIG. 2.The cut 23 extends from a point co-linear with the top member line 21around the front of the body 3 and back to a point co-linear with thetop member line 21. The cut 23 thus enables the front portion 17 of thecover 9 to be lifted up, as seen in FIG. 2. As seen in FIG. 2, when thecover front portion 17 is lifted to its opened position, the lower partof the lip 16 is exposed. Additionally, when the cover front portion 17is opened, the rear edges 36 of the lip 16 are forced inside of the lipof the cover rear portion 19. The two portions create a friction fitthat holds the cover front portion 17 in its opened position. Further,because the lip 16 is exposed below the cut 23, the lip 16 willfrictionally engage the wall of the container body 3 when the coverforward portion 17 is closed, as shown in FIG. 1. This will help retainthe cover forward portion 17 in its closed position.

[0058] As seen in FIG. 2, the container 1 can include a membrane or seal37 below cover member 9. The seal 37 closes the container below thecover 9 and must be broken before product can be poured from thecontainer 1.

[0059] A second embodiment of the cover member is shown in FIGS. 7-10.The container 101 of FIGS. 7 and 8 is substantially identical inconstruction to the container 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2. It varies only in theconstruction of the cover member 109. The cover member 109, in turn, issubstantially similar to the cover member 9. The difference lies in theline 121 that separates the cover front portion 117 from the cover backportion 119. The line 121 (FIG. 9) includes opposing outer scores 123which have outer ends spaced from the side edges of the cover member 109and extend inwardly slightly. A second pair of opposing scores 125extend rearwardly (and orthogonally) from the inner edges of the firstscore lines 121. A pair of inner fold lines 127 extends inwardly fromthe ends of the second score lines. Lastly, a tab 129 connects the innerends of the fold lines 127. The tab 129 is formed to extend toward thecover rear portion 119.

[0060] A line of weakness or cut 135, identical to the cut 23, extendsaround the forward portion of the container body 103. Rather than havingvertical slices at the ends of the cut 135, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,the cut 135 has a sloped end, as at 135. (FIG. 7) The sloped end 135 ofthe slice connects with the scores 123 of the cover line 121. Thus, whenthe cover 109 is assembled into the body 103 to produce the container101, the cover front portion 117 can be opened. The cover front portion117 is substantially the same, and operates in substantially the samemanner as the cover front portion 19 of container 1. However, the cover109 has the tab 129 that engages the membrane or seal 137 when the coverfront portion 117 is opened, as seen in FIG. 10. The engagement of thetab 129 with the seal 137 will create a further frictional engagementbetween the lid and the membrane that will help maintain the cover inits opened position.

[0061] A third embodiment of the cover member is shown in FIGS. 11-12.The container (not shown) associated with the cover member 209 and 309of FIGS. 11a and 12 is substantially identical in construction tocontainer 1 of FIGS. 12. It varies only in the construction of covermember 209. The cover member 209, in turn, is substantially similar tothe cover member 109. The difference lies in the peripheral edges ofcover front portion 217 and 317. Cover front portion 217 and 317includes equidistantly-spaced teeth 212 and 312 (FIGS. 11b and 12 b) onits peripheral edges. Engagement of teeth 212 and 312 with the tube bodyportion (not shown) creates a further frictional engagement between thelid and the membrane that will help maintain cover member 209 and 309 inits closed position.

[0062] A fourth embodiment of the cover member is shown in FIG. 13. Thecontainer (not shown) associated with FIG. 13 is substantially identicalin construction to container 1 of FIGS. 1-2. It varies only in theconstruction of cover member 409. The cover member 409, in turn, issubstantially similar to cover member 109. The difference lies in line421 that separates the cover front portion 417 from the cover backportion 419. Line 421 includes three equidistantly-spaced tabs ordetentes 429. The tab 429 is formed to extend toward the cover backportion 319. To form each of tabs 429, a partial cut, in a semi-circularshape, is formed on the bottom side of cover back portion 419. Theengagement of tabs 429 with the seal 437 creates a further frictionalengagement between the lid and the membrane that will help maintain thecover member 409 in its opened position.

[0063] A fifth embodiment of the cover member is shown in FIGS. 14a and14 b. Container (not shown) associated with FIGS. 14a and 14 b issubstantially identical in construction to the container 1 of FIGS. 1-2.It varies only in the construction of cover member 509. The cover frontportion 517 includes closure assembly 520, which comprises anoctagonally-shaped closure 528, tab 529 and slot 530. To secure covermember 509, closure 528 is inserted in slot 530 until tab 529 is incontact with cover front portion 517 (FIG. 14). To maintain cover member509 in its substantially open, dispensing orientation, closure 528 ismanually biased to a position substantially perpendicular to the covermember axis (FIG. 14b). Although closure 528 is illustrated asoctagonally-shaped, it is likewise contemplated that it may be circular,rectangular, square or any other geometric shape.

[0064] A sixth embodiment of the cover member is shown in FIGS. 15a and15 b. Container (not shown) associated with FIGS. 15a and 15 b issubstantially identical in construction to the container 1 of FIGS. 1-2.It varies only in the construction of cover member 609. The cover frontportion 617 includes closure assembly 620, which comprises andoctagonally-shaped closure 628, tab 629 and slot 630. To secure covermember 609, tab is inserted in slot 630 until closure 628 is in contactwith cover front portion 617 (FIG. 15a). Although closure 628 isillustrated as octagonally-shaped, it is likewise contemplated that itmay be circular, rectangular, square or any other geometric shape.

[0065] In a still further embodiment of the invention, shown in FIGS.16-18, tubular container 701 with side opening 710 is shown ascomprising body tube 720, top lid panel 722, bottom lid panel 723, andtear-out panel 724 within body tube 720. Body tube 720 further comprisesfront side 730, back side (not shown), first side 734 and second side736 (not shown). While in this embodiment, body tube 720 is generallyquadrilateral in plan view, the body could also be circular, triangularor any other desired shape.

[0066] Tear-out panel 724 is shown in FIG. 16 before separation frombody tube 720. Tear-out panel 724 includes first panel 740, second panel742, and tab portion 744. Initially, all of tear-out panel 724 iscontained within body tube 720, except for tab portion 744, whichextends from the edge of second panel 742. First panel 740 comprises aportion of front side 730, and second panel 742 comprises a portion offirst side 734. Tear-out panel 724 is separated from the remainder ofbody tube 720 by a line 746. The line 746 includes cuts, perforations,or other lines of weakness that will allow tear-out panel 724 to beeasily removed from body tube 720.

[0067] The product within container 701 may be accessed by pullingupward on tab portion 744 in order to separate tear-out panel 724 fromthe remainder of body tube 720 along line 746, as shown in FIG. 17.There, tear-out panel 724 has been separated from body tube 720 alongthree sides, leaving one remaining side attached to body tube 720. Inthis orientation, container 701 can be sealably reclosed by returningtear-out panel 724 to its closed position and tucking tab portion 744inside body tube 720, thereby frictionally engaging tab portion 744 withthe inner surface of body tube 720, resulting in a secure closure.

[0068] Alternatively, tear-out panel 724 can be completely separatedfrom body tube 720 along line 746 so that tear-out panel 724 may bepermanently removed, as shown in FIG. 18. In such a case, container 701is then in a permanently open state, as is typically the case withcontainers for such products as facial tissue. Such a design allows theconsumer to either retain tear-out panel 724 in place in order toreclose container 701 or to remove tear-out panel 724 in order to allowfor unobstructed access to the contents of container 701.

[0069] Initially, tear-out panel 824 is integrated within body tube 820,as in the embodiment of FIGS. 16-18. Access to the contents of container801 is provided by pulling up on second panel 842, causing tear-outpanel 824 to separate from body tube 820 along line 846. As in theprevious embodiment, tear-out panel 824 may be either retained in placealong one edge in order to allow for reclosing of container 801, or maybe completely removed from body tube 820 in order to allow unobstructedaccess to the contents of container 801 as desired.

[0070] The foregoing description and drawings merely explain andillustrate the invention, and the invention is not limited theretoexcept insofar as the pending claims are so limited as those skilled inthe art who have the disclosure before them will be able to makemodifications and variations therein without departing from the scope ofthe invention.

1. A substantially paperboard container for allowing access to productwithin by means of a removable side panel, the paperboard containercomprising: a substantially tubular body, fabricated substantially frompaperboard material, the tubular body having an outer surface, an innersurface, a first edge defining a first opening, and a second edgedefining a second opening; a first end panel substantially correspondingin shape to the shape of the first opening, the first end panel havingan outer edge portion; a second end panel substantially corresponding inshape to the shape of the second opening, the second end panel having anouter edge portion; at least one of the first end panel and the secondend panel being fabricated substantially from paperboard material; thefirst end panel being telescopically received within the first openingof the body, with the first edge of the body being rolled up over theouter edge of the first end panel to seal the first end panel to thebody; and a tear-out panel initially contained at least partially withinthe body, said tear-out panel capable of being at least partiallyseparated from the body by means of cuts or perforations.
 2. Thecontainer according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of saidtear-out panel is capable of frictionally engaging a portion of saidbody in order to sealably reclose said container after said tear outpanel has been partially separated from said body.
 3. The containeraccording to claim 1, wherein said tear-out panel further comprises atab portion not initially integrated within said body, said tab portioncapable of frictionally engaging a portion of said body in order tosealably reclose the container after said tear-out panel has beenpartially separated from said body.
 4. The container according to claim1, wherein at least one of said first end panel and said second endpanel comprises a transparent portion for viewing of product within thecontainer prior to separation of said tear-out panel from said body. 5.The container according to claim 1, further comprising a membrane belowsaid tear-out panel, said membrane adhered to the inner surface of thecontainer body.
 6. The container according to claim 5, wherein themembrane is made of barrier protective materials.